San Francisco Rush 2049

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Our preview has been updated with three new movies of the game's stunt mode and secret paths.

By IGN Staff

UPDATE: 2/23/2000

So, I was hanging out with a Midway representative earlier today, checking out the latest build of Rush on the DC, and I'm all like . . . "Wow . . . ya'll done finished the game ahead of schedule." When the game was announced last year, Midway revealed a September 2000 release period, but what I was looking at today appeared to be a final build - or something close, at least. The graphics, modes of play, and options - everything seemed to be in place.

Now, before all you excited readers out there get into a frenzy and start calling your local Games 'R' Us asking when you can pick up your copy of Dreamcast Rush, let me assure you that it's still not due until September. Looking at the latest build, though, you'd probably be just as fooled as I.

First off, check out the graphics. Six months before release, Rush looks so close to the arcade version that even purists would be impressed. Of course, the textures, colors, and on-screen objects are all Dreamcast worthy, but would you believe that Midway has managed to achieve a smooth frame rate as well? "Smooth" and "Frame Rate" aren't normally heard in the same sentence when talking about a Dreamcast game, but with exception to a few areas that we've been promised will be cleaned up, it's already clear that come September, you won't find yourself complaining about frame rate problems this time around. Don't take our word for it, though . . . download the six movies to see for yourself!

As complete as the graphics side of things is, I'm actually more impressed with how tightly the presentation already is at this stage. The menus and options seem to be in place, and the load times before races are next to nothing. Finally a Dreamcast game as a Dreamcast game should be - without load times!

Many of the modes of play are also in the build, including a stunt mode, where you go around a stunt course, going off ledges and up ramps. A very complete multi player mode is in the game as well, allowing you and up to three other players to race against one another, try out a stunt course, or battle. The battle section looks like it will be an awesome addition to the game. Currently, you drive around a small arena, picking up weapons and blasting your opponents. It works in Mario Kart, and it looks like Midway may be able to make it work here. Regardless, the battle mode, like all the other multiplayer modes in the game , benefit from a problem-free split screen. There doesn't seem to be a frame rate drop, and I didn't see any ugly fogging. In a word, impressive. Once again, check out the videos below to see for yourself.

I'm actually left wondering what Midway plans to do in the time until the game's September release. They'll certainly clean up what ever little issues are currently faced by the title, and maybe add more to the multiplayer modes, but how could that possibly take six months? We actually revealed in our previous preview that Midway was considering the possibility of making the game playable online. Midway is still considering the possibility, but with six months until release, it looks to us that we may just end up taking to the streets of 2049 San Francisco as one of the early online titles for the Dreamcast.

What's with all the driving games based in San Francisco? I live here, and let me tell you, if you're not stuck in traffic, chances are you're taking the train. Either way, you can bet your VMU you aren't speeding through the city...and especially not up the near-right angled hills that seem to inspire so many of the driving game tracks out there.

But maybe that's where it all comes from. The fact that so few people get a chance to really cut loose and lose control has always been a key inspiration for most titles, and racing games are no different. So I guess it makes enough sense that the latest Dreamcast effort from Midway would typify this theory in both its theme and its gameplay. Yeah, the arcade smash Rush 2049 is indeed on its way to the Dreamcast, and will hit the system some time in September of the year 2000. Recently, we were able to hit the streets of Midway's future San Fran, and here's the deal.

Now, I knew going in that this game was based in the future, but the irony of it all came in when we were introduced to the title, because it could very well be the future of racing on the Dreamcast. The arcade version was slick enough, but the DC iteration of Rush 2049 is set to feature multiple enhancements, including 6 playable tracks, each of with normal, mirror, and backwards modes, as well as four stunt tracks. From what we saw, the design is much more like the original RUSH, with tons of insane jumps and creative short-cuts. Each track is be dynamic, with tons of moving objects and events to liven things up. Additionally, the game will sport 6 initially-selectable cars, as well as a whole mess of hidden vehicles. From what we saw, most of the cars seemed pretty close to one another based on the class they are in, but each sports their own look.

To help show off this look, the Dreamcast version of Rush runs at 60 FPS in 640 x 480, and sports completely redone high-resolution textures. Though the game is still very early, the frame-rate looked crisp already, and if Atari manages to keep it constant, this game will be one of the smoothest racers on the Dreamcast. We're told that VGA support will help show this aspect of the game off, and after seeing it on a regular T.V., we can't wait to see the added boost this will bring.

And just so Nintendo 64 users will have something to be jealous of, Midway also plans to completely eliminate fog in the game. The team will also be tweaking the game's interface, and will be adding new details to the car tuning area, where players will be able to tweak everything on their favorite vehicle, from parts to paint jobs. These features weren't featured during our play-test, but they can only help add to the mix.

As far as modes are concerned, the game will have several to choose from, including a "circuit mode" where you will be able to unlock new tracks as you work your way up through a competitive course-by-course challenge that explores every course option under the Rush sun.

But that's not all. As the game is headed to DC in September, Midway hopes to get both a four player split-screen mode in, as well as the option of Online play if possible. Atari isn't exactly sold on the idea that Sega will have their tools ready in time, however, as the game will go to test in just a few months. Let's hope Sega does manage to get its act together in time, though, as between normal racing and the patented Rush tag and stunt modes, this would be a doozy of a multi-player title.

All this and full VMU support? Needless to say, we'll be watching this one with a great deal of interest. You can expect a more in-depth preview some time shortly after the start of the new year, but 'till then, feast your eyes on these new Dreamcast screens, which help show off the game's distinct visual style. If the gameplay continues along this path, the visuals won't be without an equally impressive counterpart. We'll keep you posted.